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Show remorse for forgiveness – Prof Mike Oquaye

An Accra High Court on Thursday dismissed a suit against the NPP by suspended Second Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe, challenging his suspension.
Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s Legal and Constitutional Committee, Prof Mike Oquaye
Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s Legal and Constitutional Committee, Prof Mike Oquaye

A former Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s Legal and Constitutional Committee, Prof Mike Oquaye, has asked suspended 2nd Vice Chairman of the party, Sammy Crabbe, to express remorse if he wants the party to forgive him.

This comes on the back of a ruling by an Accra High Court dismissing a suit by Mr Crabbe challenging his suspension.

Mr Crabbe was suspended by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the partyafter he failed to appear before a Disciplinary Committee to respond to misconduct charges leveled against him by some members of the party.

He subsequently dragged the party to court citing a breach of procedure.

In the writ, Mr Crabbe argued the suspension was unconstitutional.

But Justice Sir Dennis Adjei, who presided over the case ruled that the Disciplinary Committee of the NPP has the jurisdiction to hear and punish anyone who breaches the party's rules.

Speaking to Joy News, Prof Mike Oquaye said Mr Crabbe should show remorse before he can be forgiven.

“I attended a Catholic School when I was a boy. They used to say that you must regret before you are forgiven… If you want to adopt a different attitude, the party knows what to do. But the party will move on. We all know what happens when a person behaves properly and expresses regret. People will even speak for you,” he said.

Prof Mike Oquaye asserted that the ruling of the court solidifies that every member of the party is subject to discipline.

“The constitution states that the National Disciplinary Committee has the jurisdiction over all matters affecting the party. You are a member of the party, you are an officer. The court has ruled. Those who didn’t know, now they know that nobody can do what they like in the party just because you are Chairman or Vice Chairman or whatever… That provision regarding discipline affects you too. Even in Ghana, the president duly elected by millions of people can be impeached by two-third majority of parliament,” he noted.

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